Village History & Activities

Kirkcolm has been in existence since the 1780s and at one time was known as Stewarton. However a village has been on this site since 1623 known as Burgh of Barony, surrounded on three sides by water, to the north and west by the Irish Sea and Loch Ryan to the east. Leswalt parish is to the south. An old map can be seen in the Photo Gallery.

In the early days of the village it was known for having the best Black Galloway cattle in the Rhins, and the women had a home industry of muslin embroidery. Fishing was for salmon, herring and also oysters in Loch Ryan. There exists a letter from Julius Caesar that Loch Ryan oysters are the best in the world. Farming was the main industry.

More up to-date history: Sunderland flying boats of RAF Coastal Command were based in the deep waters at the Wig off Marion Point, giving air cover to WW2 convoys.

Today, in 2014, the village has spread a bit, but the main industry is still farming, some fishing still goes on, but that is now more for recreation. Oysters are still farmed, (if thats the right word), in Loch Ryan.

The Kirkcolm Senior Citizens Welfare Committee exists to support the elderly in the parish, and to provide them with outings and entertainment. Contact: Mrs Margaret Baillie tel: 01776 853644

Community Police Officer: PC Siobhan Pellet tel: 08456 005701

Kirkcolm Primary School - Headteacher Mrs Gillian Dickson tel: 01776 853232 The School is at the edge of the village in a lovely setting. Each year the children do a mini walk, which is seven miles long. Some mum's and dad's do it with them and some former pupils come back and join in too. The children are sponsored and the money goes towards school funds.

Photosof parish life and places of interest can be seen in the photo gallery.